I know this is the Baliblog, but I just arrived in Bangkok so just imagine its the Thaiblog for 2 weeks and I will try to post some interesting stuff.
I’ve been to Thailand before, first time in 1984, when Sean was still getting mommy to to tie on his hockey pads. For new arrivals here’s thelow down.
Bangkok airport is clean, modern and efficient. I had a chuckle at the immigration staff. After my battles with the US immigration and dealing with the cheating mogrels in Indonesia I came to the line and there was a row of 18 year old girls doing the immigration check. My one looked at my arrival card and saw I put ‘guest house’ as place of residence. She said ‘Sir do you know the name of the guest house?’, I said ‘No, but can you recommend good one in Khao San Rd?’ She did too.
I went to the airport ATM and used my Washington Mutual debit card to get some cash, right now its 64 to the $.
Airport bus 2A goes to Khao San Rd for 100 baht…not bad!
Khao San Rd is backpacker central, cheap everything and my little sweat box of a room cost 250 baht.
In the alley off of Khao San to the guest house is a guy with a cart selling fried insects! He’s got a dozen types of them, tommorrow I’ll get a photo.
Couldn’t resist the pork satay and hit 3 different vendors for 5 and 10 baht depending on the size.
Khao San has a ton of bars and plenty of people who want me to watch ladies shooting darts and ping pong balls. Wouldn’t mind watching a Premiership game if there’s one on.
Right now am at a pokey little internet cafe with an hours worth for 60 baht.
Bangkok isn’t Bali for sure, more hustlers, more traffic, no village feel. I’m sure you can get used to it over time though.
Photos coming tommorrow.
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{ 19 comments }
Oh…does this mean the young girls in Thailand like playing sports then???
Enjoy yourself Nick!.
Barrie,
I guess it does, depending on what you consider a sport.
Khao San Rd is a hive of activity with travelers arrivnig every hour and vendors offering all kinds of things.
You’ll find what you want down here I’m sure.
How hot is it there right now? Last time I was in Bangkok I sweated buckets everytime I moved.
Hey Chris, it depends what sport you’re playing! (He, he…!)
Nick,
How’s the ‘traveller flow’ there as compared to Bali. About the same or more?.
Hey Nick,
I’m glad that you’re still updating the blog. It’s interesting to read abt the mischief that you get yourself into, be it from Bali or Bangkok.
As for the sporty Thai girls, I’ve seen them shoot darts but not play ping pong. Well, if complete strangers off the street are recommending it, they must be quite good, don’t you think? It may be worthwhile for you to check it out. And take lots of pictures of course.
Have a good time.
Bangkok is steamy right now but coming from Bali I’m somewhat used to it. Reminds me of Hong Kong in the summer on those cloudy humid days.
Traveler flow here is good, plenty of planes coming in and Bangkok is just a big city with a ton of manufacturing. The traveler is focused on Khao San Rd which is packed with stuff, the rest of the city is different with tourist type visitors heading closer to the Rama IV, Silom Rd area in the south of the city. Khao San is in the west of the city.
I get the impression that Khao San is a major transit point for travelers, not somewhere you’d want to hang out for a week.
Yuyu, nice to hear from you. Haven’t seen any of the ‘sports bar stuff’ yet and I’d be scared to post any of it on the blog if I did. You have to be pretty open minded to enjoy that kind of sport and we have our share of conservatives too.
How’s Riverside? Must be cooking right now.
I understand why ping-pong would have its detractors. There is a lack of attractiveness in the game. The play could be so quick that there is very little opportunity for the spectator to see what is happening or to understand the techniques employed by each player. However, it is in our nature to be curious, especially if you’ve never seen one before. It might even be ok to participate – as long as you don’t already have a regular ping-pong playmate. Undeniably, it is exciting to play with a new partner. You could even acquire new skills – like how to jump with the ball, topspin the ball or better yet, how to serve a chopped ball. If you happened to play against an experienced partner, don’t feel too bad if you fizzled out as most rallies last only two or three stokes. Whatever you decide to do, Nick, have fun and be safe.
Yeah, it’s pretty hot in Riverside right now but with low humidity. It does not get steamy like it does in BKK.
wow! 64 baht to the dollar!!!
who is on drugs over there? you or the money exchanger?!
64 baht to the US$? I don’t think so.
More like 41.
Also, be advised that WAMU charges $6.00 per Intl. ATM transaction.
Yes the exchange rate is someting like 40 baht to the dollar. Pounds were 64 to the baht.
i was about to say.. 64 wow what happened, crisis #2?… 41′s right. http://www.xe.com/ucc
wamu only charges me $3 per int’l atm
riverside ca? im in riverside… just arrived from bangkok. strange small world.
Okay Smart Asses. I think you know what I mean with the exchange rate.
Plenty of ATM’s here in Bangkok and for travelers arriving its not a hassle getting money changed.
I am still not used to being back here…. I am cold & it’s dark & rainy!
I wish I knew the winning tattslotto numbers….. ho hum…..
Hey Nick,
Good to hear your having a good time. Is Breanna still down there? Have you caught up with her? Can’t wait to see pictures.
Dear Tracey,
Firstly, thank you for sharing your beautiful wedding ceremony and allowing Nick to blog it. It sounds like you have a very severe case of PBB – Post Bali Blues. I hope that things will work out for you and your family soon. Hang in there.
Hey Yuyu,
Thank-you,I am extremely lucky & glad to have met Nick. We really enjoyed having him at our Wedding, not that we got much time to chat with him though! It has been a great experience to share our Werdding with everyone….. I am so lost here, it is weird, but luckily I am working in a job I enjoy, I have a 4.5 year old bossing me around & keeping me busy too. My Poor hubby is just kind of hanging out, to hear from the Consulate! (We all would love to just be hanging out in Bali, I know….) But he is just so eager to get back over here, finally living with us forever… Then he can work, we can have a FEW more kids, buy a house & start living rather than just waiting & wasting precious time not being together. It should not be too much longer, I am hopeful he will be here for Christmas!!!!!
Barrie,
WHERE ARE YOU??????
Hi Tracey,
Yeah, I’ve been a tad busy. In the throes of writing another temple article for the Baliblog, finishing up some short stories to go to various places, and when I can sneak in a bit of free time then I am editing a draft. Whew!.
It would be great if your hubby could be in Oz for Xmas. Just maybe I will ask Candika to do the same. At the moment she is in JKT. Her big boss asked her to go to KL and C threw her a few choice four-letter words!. That’s my girl!.
I am still undecided as what I will do in the months leading up to Xmas. Maybe stay in Perth and just write MADLY!.
Still cold in old Melb?. Warming up here. Last night it was actually 7c. Wow!. Winter is for polar bears and penguins…give me a bloody hot summer anytime!.
Loving the whole “JAM KARET” thing…. Still waiting for a file number!!!!!
But apparently once he finally get’s this, we only need for him to be interviewed & then a few weeks he could have it…. Problem is when will he get his file number & how far in advance are these interviews already booked up until??????
Barrie,
I wish I could keep myself that busy, I have a full time job & a 4.5 year old, but still I find myself sitting around trying to think of people & ways to speed up the process! I just really miss him!!!
Don’t know how you & Candika do it!????
WHAT ABOUT SKATEBOARDING IN THAILAND?
ARE THERE ANY GOOD SPOTS?
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